Lieke Martens is a renowned Dutch professional footballer, currently playing as a winger or midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain and the Netherlands national team. She has played for over 7 clubs before making her mark on the international stage.
In 2015, she scored the Netherlands’ first-ever goal in a Women’s World Cup against New Zealand, catapulting her to global fame. Her exceptional performances caught the attention of FC Barcelona, leading to her signing in 2017. That same year, she played a pivotal role in the Netherlands’ UEFA Women’s Euro campaign, leading them to their first major international title.
Her outstanding performance earned her the titles of The Best FIFA Women’s Player and the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year in 2017. Martens continues to inspire many with her skill, determination, and passion for the game. If you want to know more about her on the personal and professional front, this write-up is only for you.
Lieke Martens Wiki & Bio
Full/Birth Name | Lieke Elisabeth Petronella Martens-van Leer |
Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
Date of Birth | 16 December 1992 |
Hometown | Bergen |
Birth Country | Netherlands |
Age | 31 |
Husband | Benjamin van Leer |
Education | Hogeschool van Amsterdam |
Position | Winger, midfielder |
Jersey Number | 11 |
Current Team | Paris Saint-Germain |
Net Worth (approx.) | $2 Million |
Lieke Martens’ Early Life and Education
Lieke Elisabeth Petronella Martens was born on 16 December, 1992. Her birthplace is Bergen, located in the northern part of Limburg, a province in the Netherlands. She fondly remembers her childhood days spent playing football in her backyard.
At the age of five, Martens started her football journey at a local club named RKVV Montagnards. When she turned thirteen, she moved to the Boxmeer club, Olympia ’18, encouraged by Vera Pauw, the national team coach at the time. Here, she honed her skills by playing alongside boys’ teams.
In 2008 and 2009, she attended the Hogeschool van Amsterdam. However, she eventually left to join SC Heerenveen, marking another significant milestone in her football career.
Lieke Martens’ Stats – Club and International
Martens’s journey from enrolling in a local club, SC Heerenveen, to making it into the Netherlands’ national team is awe-inspiring. Let’s take a look at her career timeline:
Club Career
SC Heerenveen
At the age of 16, Martens started her club journey in the Vrouwen Eredivisie, making her debut with SC Heerenveen. During her stint with the club, she managed to find the back of the net twice in eighteen games.
VVV-Venlo
Her journey continued in the Netherlands when she became a part of the newly established women’s team of VVV-Venlo, a club based in her home province of Limburg. She played a total of 20 matches for the club, scoring nine goals.
Standard Liège
In 2011, Martens decided to switch leagues and moved to the Belgian First Division to play for Standard Liège. After a year with Standard Liège, she transferred to the German Bundesliga club FCR 2001 Duisburg.
Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC
Martens then ventured into the Swedish Damallsvenskan, signing with Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC just in time for the 2014 Damallsvenskan season.
Rosengård
In November 2015, she left Göteborg and joined the reigning Damallsvenskan champions, FC Rosengård, on a one-year contract. During the 2016–17 UEFA Women’s Champions League, she was eliminated from the competition in the quarterfinals by FC Barcelona, a club she would later join.
FC Barcelona
In July 2017, Martens made a significant move to FC Barcelona, signing a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Her performance was recognized in August 2021 when she was nominated for the UEFA Women’s Champions League Forward of the Season award.
Paris Saint-Germain
Martens’ journey took another turn on 16 June 2022, when she inked a three-season deal with Paris Saint-Germain.
International Career
In August 2011, she made her debut for the senior national team in a friendly match against China. By 2012, Martens had established herself as a key player for the team. Fast forward to June 16, 2021, she was selected as one of the 18 primary players representing the Netherlands at the 2020 Olympics, marking the first time the Dutch women’s team participated in the Olympics.
During the tournament, they encountered their rivals from the 2019 Women’s World Cup Final – the United States. In a dramatic turn of events, Martens failed to convert a penalty in the 81st minute. The match eventually led to a penalty shootout after extra time, resulting in a loss for the Dutch team.
On May 31, 2023, Martens was included in the preliminary squad of the Netherlands for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Lieke Martens Partner
Lieke Martens is married to Benjamin van Leer, a professional goalkeeper who was playing for Jong Ajax. The couple started dating in 2018. Their family grew in 2020 when they decided to adopt a dog. The couple took their relationship to the next level by getting engaged in November 2021. They got married in a beautiful ceremony in Málaga, Spain, on June 13, 2023. As of now, they haven’t had any children.
Lieke Martens Height, Weight, and Personal Appearance
Lieke Martins is one of the tallest women footballers, with a height of 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in). Her athletic physique is well suited for her position as the midfielder. Talking about Lieke Martens’s weight, she weighs around 60 kg. Her fair complexion, blonde hair, and natural blue eyes are enough to captivate anyone.
Lieke Martens Salary and Net Worth in 2024
Lieke Martens receives an annual salary of approximately £214,000 from the Paris Saint-German club. Her overall net worth is estimated to be around $3 million. In addition to her salary, she has several brand sponsorship deals with prominent brands like PepsiCo, Nike, Zinzi, and OTRO. She gets a good remuneration from these brands, which adds to her ever-increasing net worth.
Lieke Martens Instagram
Lieke Martens has an official blue tick account on Instagram and Facebook. Talking about her followers, she has about 1.2 million followers on Instagram, 743K on Facebook, and 106.3K on Twitter. You can even find Lieke Martens’s hot photos on these platforms.
Here’s a direct link to Lieke Martens’s official social media accounts:
@liekemartens | |
Lieke Martens | |
@liekemartens1 |
Some Lesser-known Facts About Lieke Martens
- Martens’ love for football started at a very young age. She began her professional career with clubs in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium.
- In 2015, she scored the Netherlands’ first-ever goal in a Women’s World Cup match against New Zealand.
- Martens’ performances at Swedish club FC Rosengård in 2016 caught the attention of FC Barcelona, who signed her the following year.
- She was a standout player at the 2017 UEFA Women’s Euro, where the Dutch won their first-ever major international title with the women’s national team.
- She was chosen as Player of the Tournament at the 2017 UEFA Women’s Euro.
- In 2017, she was voted as The Best FIFA Women’s Player as well as the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year.
- In 2018, Forbes ranked Martens Number 22 in their “Most Powerful Women in International Sports” list.
- In the 2018–19 season, Martens helped FC Barcelona to their first-ever UEFA Women’s Champions League final.
- In 2019, she played in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, where the Dutch reached the final and were defeated by the United States.
- In 2021, Martens was a part of FC Barcelona Femení, completing their first continental treble, winning the UEFA Women’s Champions League, the Primera Division, and the Copa de la Reina, all in the same season.
FAQs
Who is Lieke Martens’ Husband?
Lieke Martens’s husband is Benjamin van Leer, a professional Dutch footballer who plays as a goalkeeper.
How much does Lieke Martens Earn?
Lieke Martens’ base salary is around $400,000 per year, excluding endorsements and advertisements.
Did Lieke Martens Get Married?
Lieke Martens has been married to Benjamin van Leer since 2023.